Welcome

Spring has sprung!

Eid Mubarak to our Muslim friends celebrating Eid-al-Fitr. And Nowruz mubarak to our Persian / Iranian friends celebrating Persian new year. Wonderful to see so many local shops replete with hyacinths for the haft-seen table.

This week, we have springtime strolls and WI guerrilla knitting for you to enjoy.

🚶‍♀️‍➡️Two Finchley Springtime Strolls

As Finchley starts to warm up, the first signs of spring are beginning to show. The light’s stretching out, the air feels a little less punishing, and suddenly a weekend walk seems like a very good idea.

With brighter weather on the way, this could be the perfect moment to explore a few excellent local walks in and around Finchley and East Finchley.

Tony Roberts, an East Finchley resident, supplies archive material for The Finchley Society and leads guided local history walks. He’s also created a phenomenal archive of local walks, complete with maps, directions, and places of interest.

We’ve picked our two favourites:

1: East Finchley Hampstead Highgate Circular (Distance 9.4k - 11.8k)

These circular walks use the Capital Ring in the north to connect Highgate Wood and Hampstead Heath.

There are many possible permutations in the south. Particularly worth exploring the Pergola and Hill Garden, the pond at the Vale of Health, the viaduct pond, Highgate Ponds in the evening, and the view from the Heath Extension.

Four pubs, if you fancy a pit-stop, and three muddy areas.

2: Finchley Green Spaces (Distance 32k)

This walk through green spaces is approximately 20 miles in total, plus any extra wandering you choose to do in the spaces themselves. The walk includes 5 woods, 5 designated parks, three church yards, two brook walks, two cemeteries, and numerous open spaces. There’s also access to other green spaces just off the walk.

30 woods, parks, churches, and other local landmarks are all clearly marked.

It's a circular walk, so start at any point. You might want to make it a walk of two halves if you stop off for a restorative cup of tea.

Access by public transport is indicated at strategic points so the walk can be done in manageable sections.

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You can check out Tony’s 13-walk list here ​​

And of course, if you’re feeling in the mood for walking, here's our Finchley Now all-time favourite Five Winter Walks. 🚶‍♀️‍➡️

Events

MUSIC

Saturday 28th March

​A Ludovico Einaudi Candlelight Experience In Barnet | Sat, Mar. 28 | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | St John the Baptist Church, Chipping Barnet | From £20 | Lumos brings you enchanting concert experiences paying homage to world-famous artists. We’ve partnered with spectacular locations & churches across the UK to deliver a concert experience that is nothing short of magical.

Sunday 29th March

​Songs of the Elements: Earth. Alyth Choral Society In Concert | Sun, Mar. 29 | 7:00 pm | Alyth, 23 Alyth Gardens, NW11 7EN | £20 | This is the first concert in a series of four about the elements. Alyth Choral Society, directed by Alison Smart Fisher, and with Tim Hooper (piano) will draw together poetry and music about the earth. There's music of all different styles (something for everyone!), including Zadok the Priest, Streets of London, the Elements song by Tom Lehrer, Eitz Chayim Hi by Naumbourg, and Dido's lament from Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas.

ARTS

Sunday 29th March

​Same Space, Different Experience – Schools Gallery Project | Sun, Mar. 29 | 10:00 am | artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, N12 0GA | Free | Explore an exciting new creative learning and visual arts schools project led by professional artists Sum-Sum Tse-Cappi and Abigail Hunt.

COMMUNITY

Tuesday 24th March

​Boost At Chipping Barnet Library | Tue, Mar. 24 | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | Chipping Barnet Library, 3 Stapylton Rd, EN5 4QT | free | Jobs, training and skills. Get help from our employment support service, Boost.

Thursday 26th March

​Employability Support | Thu, Mar. 26 | 6:30 pm | Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH | Free | Figuring out the next steps in your career can feel overwhelming – whether it’s writing a CV, filling out job applications, or knowing where to look for opportunities. That’s where the Camden Apprenticeship Team comes in.

​East End Jews: Secret tales from the London Yiddish Press | Thu, Mar. 26 | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | Finchley Church End Library, 318 Regents Park Road, N3 2LN | Free | Historian and Yiddish performer Vivi Lachs will showcase the recently published book 'East End Jews', it offers an unparalleled view into the life, labour, and the joys of London's Jewish East End, from its heyday in the 1890s until the 1950s.

​Finchley Society Monthly Meeting - Alexandra Palace Theatre | Thu, Mar. 26 | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | At Avenue House, 17 East End Road, N3 3QE | Free to members, £2 cash for non-members | Alexandra Palace Theatre special, societal and sesquicentennial by Nigel Willmott and Pat Brearey. In 1875 the Alexandra Palace Theatre opened as part of the rebuilt Alexandra Palace, following the 1873 opening and destruction by fire of the original Palace. The Theatre went dark in 1934 and then, over many decades, became lost to history. That was until an impressive regeneration of the east part of the Palace brought the Theatre back to life in 2018.

Sunday 29th March

​Car Boot Sale | Sun, Mar. 29 | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | Our Yard Clitterhouse Farm, Claremont Road, NW2 1AP | No cost. Free Entry | Local community space Our Yard is delighted to announce its very first car boot sale. This exciting new event invites residents to come together for a day of bargain hunting, community spirit, and sustainable shopping.

SPORTS

Saturday 28th March

​Non-League Day: Wingate & Finchley FC vs Welling United FC | Sat, Mar. 28 | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Maurice Rebak Stadium, Summers Lane, N12 0PD | Adults £14, Concessions £9, 11-18yrs £5, Under 11s Free | It is international break weekend, why not come down to see what non-league football is all about? It is a big clash in the Isthmian Premier League with both sides battling to ensure their status at this level next season.

​Lewis Major: Triptych | Sat, Mar. 28 | 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm | artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, N12 0GA | Tickets from £19 | A three-part programme of unique dance pieces exploring movement and light from award-winning Australian choreographer Lewis Major.

FOOD

Friday 27th March

​New Barnet Coffee Mornings | Fri, Mar. 27 | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | New Barnet Leisure Centre and Library, 1 Lawton Road, EN4 9BS | Free | Join at one of the warm spaces for a coffee, refreshments, and a chat! No booking required. Just drop in.

OLDER PEOPLE

Thursday 26th March

​Living Well in Barnet: A Morning Of Talks with Age UK | Thu, Mar. 26 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | Manor Drive Methodist Church, Manor Dr, N20 0DZ. | Free | A morning of fascinating talks and information for anyone interested in memory, dementia prevention and living well with dementia. The lineup includes Professor Catherine Loveday, who will be sharing tips on how to protect your memory, plus talks on the power of attorney. Free entry and free refreshments too.

KIDS

Saturday 7th February

​Groove Together: Family Dance And Movement | Fri, Mar. 27 | 10:00 am to 10:45 am | artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, N12 0GA | £10 | This class is designed for parents and caregivers who want to get a good workout in while having fun with their little ones, ages 18 months – 5 years. Wear your exercise clothes, bring your water bottle, and get ready to move to the beat. No dance experience needed, just a positive attitude and a love for staying active with your child.

Saturday 28th March

​Easter Egg-Stravaganza | Sat, Mar. 28 | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | St John's Wood Church Gardens, 8 Wellington Place, NW8 9JA | £5 accompanying adults go free | The St John’s Hospice Easter Egg-Stravaganza is back, with a Bunny Trail, face painting, arts and crafts, refreshments and more. Join for a fun-filled Easter weekend for all the family.

SUSTAINABILITY

Saturday 28th March

​Repair Cafe Comes To Highgate | Sat, Mar. 28 | 2:00 pm | 28 Page's Ln, N10 1PP | Free | Five repair cafés a month in Haringey. You fix your own stuff with the crew helping, in a community-oriented venue in Tottenham, Hornsey, Turnpike Lane, Muswell Hill and Highgate. Book a slot (free of charge).

Events - Book Ahead

Saturday 11th April

​Crafty Fox Spring Market | Sat, Apr. 11 | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | The Crossing, 1 Granary Square, King's Cross, N1C 4AA | Free | Celebrate the return of spring with a weekend dedicated to creativity, community, and independent talent at the Crafty Fox Spring Market at The Crossing, King’s Cross. This curated marketplace brings together an inspiring line-up of emerging designers, makers, and artists - perfect for discovering one-of-a-kind treasures you won’t find anywhere else.

Tuesday 14th April

​Forest Bathing | Tue, Apr. 14 | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Covert Way Nature Reserve, Covert Way, EN4 0LT | £16.96 | Join a relaxing and connecting springtime Forest Bathing Session before sunset in the beautiful Covert Way Nature Reserve.

Thursday 16th April

Cold War Aircraft Tour with Age UK Barnet | Thu, Apr. 16 | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL | Free but donations welcome | Join for a thrilling journey into aviation history with our special Cold War Aircraft Tour. Highlights include some of the era's most iconic jets - including the legendary Vulcan, the sleek Vampire, the groundbreaking Meteor, and the formidable Hunter. Email activities@ageukbarnet.org or call 0738 446 6840 to book.

Local Lowdown

Paviolioning

• A slice of Japan in Hampstead. A stunning eight-bedroom house on Bracknell Gardens is for sale at £11.25 million. It features an authentic Japanese Pavilion and a koi pond. On the market via Beauchamp Estates, it’s a family gem enjoyed for over 30 years - if your wallet allows.

Rewilding

• Nature class is back. The Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre in Brent will reopen on April 20. It was closed last summer. Thames21 will run outdoor lessons in the ponds and woodlands again, thanks to a £30,000 boost from Brent Council. Locals hope the funding keeps this green gem thriving.

Funding

• Barnet’s creative spirit just got a £70,000 boost. Ten local groups have received grants from the ‘Light and Flight’ programme. They will celebrate the borough’s heritage in new, creative ways. This includes carnival art, crochet traditions, walking trails, and documentaries. Expect hidden histories to take centre stage this year.

Woodland Winning

• Tree huggers 1, bulldozers 0. Barnet Council has rejected a plan for a six-bedroom house in protected woodland between Sunset View and Hadley Green. Over 2,000 residents supported the “Save Chipping Barnet Woodland” campaign. They see this as a win for wildlife and a boost for local conservation.

Building

• Milestone moment in Wembley’s mega makeover. Zephaniah House, fully affordable and part of the area's regeneration plan, has just 'topped out'. It’s one step closer to completion by late 2026. With 6,000 homes built and 9,000 more on the way, Wembley’s skyline isn’t done growing yet.

The Finchleyite: Finchley WI

​Finchley Women’s Institute feels a bit like the kind of Finchleyite who quietly keeps local life ticking along: friendly, capable and always ready with a homemade cake or a ball of wool.

Yesterday’s Spring Fair at Stephens House showed that spirit at its best, with plenty of creativity, community and local charm on display.

Finchley WI is a friendly group of around 50 members who meet regularly, including through its KTog knitting group, which is also behind some cheerful local guerrilla knitting.

The WI was founded in 1915 to give women a voice and be a force for good in the community, and today describes itself as a place for women of all generations to share experiences, learn from each other and make a difference locally.

Next meeting: 8th April with Holly Searle, The Subverted Stitcher

Editors' Note - From Sasha

Fun week - full house of guests this weekend, out to see Yentl at the Marylebone Theatre (closes 12 April) - brilliant, but surprising.

Also totally mesmerised by my hyacinths. Love how they change each day.

Also, let us know about local events or local news. We curate our content to keep it a 5-minute read, so can't include everything we're sent.

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Tessa Davis Sasha Frieze